Near Threatened Amphibian Species - Amphibian Specialist Group

640Threatened Amphibians of the World15 populations in Oregon. The total adult population size is unknown, but populations are small. Populations appearstable, and new populations are being discovered in Washington State (L.A. Hallock pers. comm.). This speciesinhabits lava talus slopes in Douglas fir stands, and is typically found under canopy cover in talus of suitable sizethat has accumulated considerable amounts of humus. It rests under rocks and bark and in rotten wood (Stebbins1985b), and moves deep under talus in cold weather or when it is dry or hot. Breeding occurs in the same habitats inlate autumn or spring on warm rainy nights. This species does not tolerate the loss of canopy cover, which appearsto allow congeners to out-compete it (Herrington 1985). It is threatened in some areas by logging (which changesthe microclimate and composition of the talus slopes) and by the use of taluses for road construction (Herrington1988; Pfrender 1993). Many populations are protected within the Columbia River National Scenic Area (Leonard etal. 1993), but populations on national forest and private land might not be adequately protected.Bibliography: Aubry, K.B., Senger, C.M. and Crawford, R.L. (1987), Behler, J.L. and King, F.W. (1979), Blackburn, L., Nanjappa, P. andLannoo, M.J. (2001), Burns, D. (1964), Bury, R.B., Dodd, Jr., C.K. and Fellers, G.M. (1980), Dvornich, K.M., McAllister, K.R. and Aubry,K.B. (1997), Frost, D.R. (1985), Herrington, R.E. (1985), Herrington, R.E. (1988), Herrington, R.E. and Larsen, J.H. (1983), Herrington, R.E.and Larsen, Jr, J.H. (1985), Herrington, R.E. and Larsen, Jr, J.H. (1987), Howard, J.H., Wallace, R.L. and Larsen, J.H. Jr. (1983), Leonard,W.P. et al. (1993), Mahoney, M.J. (2001), Nussbaum, R.A., Brodie, Jr., E.D. and Storm, R.M. (1983), Olson, D.H. editor (1999), Pfrender,M. (1993), Stebbins, R.C. (1985b), Thomas, J.W. et al. (1993), Washington Department of Wildlife (1993)Data Providers: Geoffrey Hammerson, Robert HerringtonPlethodon neomexicanusStebbins and Riemer, 1950JEMEZ MOUNTAINS SALAMANDERThis species is restricted to the Jemez Mountains in Sandoval, Los Alamos, and Río Arriba Counties, New Mexico,USA, from 2,130-3,435m asl (Stebbins 1985b; Degenhardt, Painter and Price 1996; Petranka 1998). It exists asfragmented populations in six major zones of distribution within an area of approximately 650-780km² (New MexicoDepartment of Game and Fish 1994). It is rare to common in suitable habitat, which is fragmented due to subsurfacegeology. It can be found in moss-covered talus and under bark and beneath logs and rocks in and near mixed forestsof fir, spruce, and aspen (Stebbins 1985b). It occurs underground except during periods of warm seasonal rains. Itis assumed to lay its eggs underground as no egg clutch has ever been found in the wild. Populations decline butpersist after clear-cutting and slashing of forest, and it also persists after wildfires but most likely in reduced numbers.The major threats to this species are intensive logging, slash removal, burning, road building, and establishment oftree plantations (Ramotnik and Scott 1988). The build-up of excessive fuel loads and resulting fires is also a threat.However, with recent conservation efforts, threats have been greatly reduced. More than 90% of the populationsof this species are believed to occur on lands administered by the Santa Fe National Forest; additional populationsare known to occur on Santa Clara Pueblo, in Bandelier National Monument, and in the Valles Caldera NationalPreserve in Sandoval County (Cummer, Christman and Wright 2003), as well as on private land. Final approval of theJemez Mountains Salamander Conservation Agreement in 2000 represents a commitment by the US Forest Service,the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish to manage this amphibian ina manner consistent with this agreement, and with each other’s policies, in order to reduce threats and ensure thatthe species is conserved (New Mexico Department of Game and Fish 2000). It is listed as ‘threatened’ by the StateGame Commission of New Mexico, and is protected from harvest by the United States Department of AgricultureForest Service special order “Animal Possession Restrictions” No. 10-230, 22 November 1999.Bibliography: Behler, J.L. and King, F.W. (1979), Blackburn, L., Nanjappa, P. and Lannoo, M.J. (2001), Bury, R.B., Dodd, Jr., C.K. andFellers, G.M. (1980), Cummer, M.R., Christman, B.L. and Wright, M.A. (2003), Degenhardt, W.G., Painter, C.W. and Price, A.H. (1996),Frost, D.R. (1985), Mahoney, M.J. (2001), New Mexico Department of Fish and Game (1985), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish(1994), New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (2000), Petranka, J.W. (1998), Ramotnik, C.A. and N.J. Scott, Jr. (1988), Stebbins,R.C. (1985b), Williams, S.R. (1973)Data Providers: Geoffrey Hammerson, Charles PainterPlethodon nettingi Green, 1938CHEAT MOUNTAIN SALAMANDERThis species can be found in the Allegheny Mountains from Cheat Mountain north to Back Allegheny and Cabinmountains, in Grant, Tucker, Randolph, Pocahontas, and Pendleton Counties, West Virginia, USA, generally from 908-1,463m asl (Pauley 1993), although one population extends to below 730m asl. Much of the remaining habitat is withinMonongahela National Forest (Green and Pauley 1987). Approximately seventy occurrences are known (Pauley 1993;Petranka 1998), but these appear to be very small fragments of once larger populations. Recent surveys yielded somenew localities, but the species was absent at some historical sites (USFWS 1990a). There is less than 10,000 acres ofknown occupied habitat. Populations generally are small (only a few include over a thousand individuals), and the USFish and Widlife Service (USFWS 1990a) categorized its status as “stable”. This species can be found primarily in redspruce, yellow birch or spruce-dominated forests, and has been occasionally collected in mixed deciduous hardwoodforests (Brooks 1945, 1948; Clovis 1979; Green and Pauley 1987). Bryophytes and downed logs are usually commonin its habitat, and it occurs under rocks and in or under logs during the day, and sometimes among wet leaves. It isactive on the forest floor at night and may climb lower portions of tree trunks (Brooks 1945, 1948; Green and Pauley1987). Eggs have been found in and under rotting logs, and under rocks (Brooks 1948; Green and Pauley 1987), wherethey develop directly without a larval stage. The main threat to this species is habitat loss and degradation due tologging, mining, recreational development, and road construction. Competition with Plethodon cinereous might alsobe a limiting factor. However, these threats are all minimal and the population is probably stable. It occurs in twonational forest wilderness areas and several proposed research natural areas, and also in about 50 United StatesDepartment of Agriculture Forest Service sites, but these are not well protected. Monongahela National Forest hasa management plan for this species (Bury, Dodd and Fellers 1980). An additional beneficial conservation measurewould be the establishment of forested corridors between existing populations.Taxonomy: Plethodon hubrichti and P. shenandoah formerly were included in this species.Bibliography: Behler, J.L. and King, F.W. (1979), Bishop, S.C. (1943), Blackburn, L., Nanjappa, P. and Lannoo, M.J. (2001), Brooks, M.(1945), Brooks, M. (1948), Bury, R.B., Dodd, Jr., C.K. and Fellers, G.M. (1980), Clovis, J.F. (1979), Frost, D.R. (1985), Green, N.B. and Pauley,T.K. (1987), Highton, R. (1986d), Highton, R. and Larson, A. (1979), Mahoney, M.J. (2001), Martof, B.S. et al. (1980), Pauley, T.K. (1985),Pauley, T.K. (1993), Petranka, J.W. (1998), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1989b), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1990a)Data Providers: Geoffrey HammersonPlethodon ouachitaeDunn and Heinze, 1933RICH MOUNTAIN SALAMANDERThis species can be found in the Ouachita Mountains, in Arkansas and Oklahoma, USA (Duncan and Highton 1979;Conant and Collins 1991). A map in Duncan and Highton (1979) indicates that there might be up to several distinctpopulations or perhaps just a few, depending on actual distributional discontinuities. It is often abundant in suitableconditions (Black 1974; Blair 1967; Spotila 1972). Duncan and Highton (1979) collected samples of at least a fewdozen specimens from each of 10 locations, not including additional locations with ouachitae-fourchensis hybrids. Itcan be found in mesic hardwood forests, usually on a northerly facing slope, where it is generally found under rocksor in or under logs. Breeding takes place terrestrially by direct development. There are no known major threats to thisspecies, although populations might be impacted locally by clear-cutting logging. It occurs in some protected areas,but further research is needed on its threat status and population status and trends.Taxonomy: Petranka (1998) included Plethodon fourchensis in this species. The two species integrade freely in their narrow zone ofcontact.Bibliography: Anthony, C.D., Wicknick, J.A. and Jaeger, R.G. (2002), Behler, J.L. and King, F.W. (1979), Black, J.H. (1974), Blackburn, L.,Nanjappa, P. and Lannoo, M.J. (2001), Blair, A.P. (1967), Blair, A.P. and Lindsay, H.L. Jr. (1965), Conant, R. and Collins, J.T. (1991), Duncan,R. and Highton, R. (1979), Frost, D.R. (1985), Highton, R. (1986a), Mahoney, M.J. (2001), Petranka, J.W. (1998), Spotila, J.R. (1972), Taylor,C.L., Wilkinson, Jr., R.F., and Peterson, C.L. (1990), Trauth, S.E., Robison, H.W. and Plummer, M.V. (2004)Data Providers: Geoffrey HammersonPlethodon punctatusHighton, 1971 [1972]WHITE-SPOTTED SALAMANDERThis species can be found in the Shenandoah, North, and Great North mountains, George Washington National Forest,Virginia (Augusta, Rockingham, and Shenandoah Counties) and West Virginia, USA (Green and Pauley 1987; Conantand Collins 1991; Petranka 1998), from 735-1,200m asl (but mainly from 900-1,200m asl). Its total adult population sizeis unknown but deforestation has probably reduced its distribution and abundance compared with historical levels.This species occurs in ridge and valley areas in mixed deciduous forest interspersed with Virginia pine and hemlockand numerous rock outcrops (Green and Pauley 1987). It is most abundant in old-growth forests with many downedlogs and in areas with an abundance of surface rocks (Mitchell 1991), including talus. It tends to be most abundanton north-facing slopes. During the day it is found under rocks and logs or in burrows. Breeding is terrestrial by directdevelopment. The principal threats to this species include deforestation through logging, and defoliation by gypsymoths (Lymantria dispar); the effect of spraying pesticides to control gypsy moths is unknown (Mitchell 1991). Firewoodcollection and over-collection of individuals are also potential threats. Much of its habitat is now protected, and itspopulations are likely to be stable. Most occurrences are within George Washington National Forest, where manysites are classified as roadless areas or unforestable. The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service isaware of the populations of this species and its sensitivity.Bibliography: Behler, J.L. and King, F.W. (1979), Blackburn, L., Nanjappa, P. and Lannoo, M.J. (2001), Buhlmann, K.A. et al. (1988),Conant, R. and Collins, J.T. (1991), Fraser, D.F. (1976), Frost, D.R. (1985), Green, N.B. and Pauley, T.K. (1987), Highton, R. (1972), Highton,R. (1988a), Mahoney, M.J. (2001), Martof, B.S. et al. (1980), Mitchell, J.C. (1991), Petranka, J.W. (1998)Data Providers: Geoffrey Hammerson, Joseph MitchellPlethodon virginiaHighton, 1999SHENANDOAH MOUNTAIN SALAMANDERThis species can be found in eastern West Virginia and adjacent north-western Virginia, USA, from 1,100-1,200m asl.Highton (1999) mapped 28 collection sites, and six sites where hybrids with Plethodon hoffmani occur. This species’population status is not known but it is presumed to be stable. It is often found under objects in wooded areas. Eggsare laid in moist cavities, where they develop directly without a larval stage. It is not known what threats there areto this species, which is unlikely to be seriously threatened, although some populations are probably affected locallyby clear-cutting logging. It occurs in some protected areas. Additional research is needed on its population statusand the threats that it faces.Taxonomy: This species was recently separated from Plethodon hoffmani (see Highton 1999).Bibliography: Behler, J.L. and King, F.W. (1979), Blackburn, L., Nanjappa, P. and Lannoo, M.J. (2001), Green, N.B. and Pauley, T.K. (1987),Highton, R. (1986b), Highton, R. (1999), Mahoney, M.J. (2001), Martof, B.S. et al. (1980), Petranka, J.W. (1998)Data Providers: Geoffrey HammersonPseudoeurycea cephalica (Cope, 1865)This species can be found in central Mexico in the states of Estado de Mexico, Hidalgo, Veracruz, Puebla and Morelos.It might be more widespread than current records suggest. Its altitudinal range is between 1,100 and 3,000m asl.This species used to be common, although it has undergone declines. The subspecies Pseudoeurycea cephalicarubrimembris remains not uncommon in the outskirts of Tianguistengo village in north-eastern Hidalgo State. Thisspecies lives in pine, pine-oak, fi r, and cloud forests, and in the upper extent of lowland forest. It is commonlyfound beneath rocks, logs and other debris on the ground. It also occurs in somewhat disturbed habitats, such asforest edges, rural gardens, and small patches of forest in urban areas. Breeding is by direct development. It isprobably threatened by agricultural expansion, expanding human settlements, and logging, all of which are takingplace extensively within its range. It occurs in several protected areas, and is listed as “threatened” (Amenazada)by the Mexican government.Taxonomy: This form is a complex of more than one species that needs taxonomic revision (G. Parra-Olea and D.B. Wake pers. comm.).The subspecies Pseudoeurycea cephalica rubrimembris is likely to be a valid species (J. Raffaelli pers. comm.).Bibliography: Parra-Olea, G., García-París, M. and Wake, D.B. (1999), Parra-Olea, G., Papenfuss, T.J. and Wake, D.B. (2001), Uribe-Peña,Z., Ramírez-Bautista, R. and Cuadernos, G.C.A (2000)Data Providers: Gabriela Parra-Olea, David Wake, Jean RaffaelliPseudoeurycea galeanae (Taylor, 1941)This species is known from the areas surrounding Galeana and Iturbide towns, in southern Nuevo Leon, Mexico, from1,800-2,800m asl. It is not common but is still recorded regularly. It inhabits semi-open oak forest with thorny scrub.This terrestrial species can be found under stones, and it can also tolerate considerable habitat modifi cation and hasbeen found in agave plantations and scrubby open country. Breeding is by direct development. The main threat to thisspecies is complete clearance of its habitats, due to clear-cutting and the development of human settlements. It is notknown from any protected areas, but it is listed as “threatened” (Amenazada) by the Mexican government.Taxonomy: This species requires further taxonomic investigation (G. Parra-Olea and D.B. Wake pers. comm.).Bibliography: Flores-Villela, O. and McCoy, C.J. (1993), Parra-Olea, G., García-París, M. and Wake, D.B. (1999)Data Providers: Gabriela Parra-Olea, David WakePseudoeurycea papenfussiMUSCULAR SALAMANDERParra-Olea, García-París, Hanken and Wake, 2005This species is known from the Sierra de Juárez, from the vicinity of Cerro Pelón and Cerro Humo to Cerro PeñaVerde and the Pápalo region, northern Oaxaca State, Mexico. It has been recorded only from 2,800-2,900m asl,and possibly as low as 2,650m asl (exact identifi cation is pending on these records). The species is believed to beendemic to the Sierra de Juárez. There is no clear information available on its population status, although it appearsnever to have been common. It has been found in pine forest and barren rocky slopes at or above the upper limit ofcloud forest. It is presumed to breed by direct development. There has been significant deforestation by uncontrolledlogging in this area, but the habitat is now recovering and the species is still present. It is known from the Reservade la Biósfera Tehuacán-Cuicatlán. Further taxonomic work is necessary to resolve the identity of populations foundat lower altitudes.Taxonomy: Specimens of this species have been included in Pseudoeurycea smithi by some previous authors (Parra-Olea et al.2005a).Bibliography: Parra-Olea, G. et al. (2005a)Data Providers: James Hanken, David Wake